ARIA’S POV As Elodie and Eva step into the reception, nausea churns in my stomach, threatening to overwhelm me. Despite the rising tide of unease, I force myself to maintain a air of calm. My heart pounds in my chest, a rapid rhythm betraying the turmoil within. Every step they take closer feels like a weight pressing down on me, suffocating me with apprehension. But I swallow hard, steeling myself against the panic threatening to consume me. As their eyes lock onto mine, I brace myself for the inevitable onslaught of humiliation. It is as though their gaze alone has the power to strip away any semblance of dignity I possess, leaving me exposed and vulnerable. My breath catches in my throat as I anticipate their cutting words and disdainful glances. A knot forms in my stomach, tightening with each passing moment. Every fiber of my being screams to retreat, to flee from the impending humiliation. But I stand my ground, my outward composure a thin veil concealing the torrent of fear
ARIA’S POVElodie and Eva exchange surprised glances as my assertive response catches them off guard. The shift in my demeanor is palpable, a stark departure from the passive receptionist they thought they could easily manipulate. I meet their gaze with a steely resolve, no longer the same Aria they once knew—a person to be walked over without consequence.The air crackles with tension as they realize they've underestimated me, mistaking my kindness for weakness. But I refuse to be a doormat any longer. Their surprise fuels my determination, a reminder of the strength that lies within me.“Do you know who Donatella is? I’ll make sure you get fired!”Elodie's words fall on deaf ears as they echo through the room. Despite her attempts to assert dominance or belittle me further, they hold no sway over my resolve. I've reached a point where external opinions and criticisms carry little weight compared to my own self-worth.So let her words echo, let them reverberate through the air— they
ARIA’S POVAs Stella and I head to the nearby restaurant, the air between us is heavy with unspoken questions. Despite the short distance, we have not exchanged many words, but I can feel the weight of curiosity pressing on Stella's mind.The silence between us speaks volumes, each step echoing with the unspoken tension. It is as if the events with Elodie and Eva are a heavy cloud hanging over our heads, casting a shadow on our conversation.I steal a glance at Stella, noticing the furrow in her brow and the thoughtful expression on her face. It is clear that she is processing everything that just happened, trying to make sense of it all.As we approach the restaurant, I cannot help but wonder when the flood of questions will come pouring out. But for now, we continue in silence, each lost in our own thoughts, navigating the aftermath of our encounter with Elodie and Eva.As we settle into our seats at the restaurant, I sense the moment of truth approaching. With a knowing look, Stell
ARIA’S POVAs the day of the much-anticipated fashion show dawns, I find myself immersed in a whirlwind of emotions. Stepping into the bustling backstage area, I am immediately enveloped in a frenzy of activity and excitement.Surrounded by a flurry of last-minute arrangements, my senses are overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the bustling backstage scene. Seamstresses scurry about, putting the finishing touches on exquisite garments, while makeup artists and hairstylists work tirelessly to perfect each model's look. The air is thick with the scent of hairspray and perfume, mingling with the faint hum of chatter and music.Amidst the organized chaos, I feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins; a heady mixture of nerves and excitement. This is the moment we have all been working towards—the culmination of weeks of tireless preparation and dedication. Yet, as the minutes tick by, a nagging sense of apprehension creeps into my thoughts.What if something goes wrong? What
ADAM’S POVSophia and Eva dragged me to the fashion show against my will, and I cannot shake the feeling of disdain as I sit through the event. Watching models strut down the runway feels like a waste of time to me. Despite the excitement around me, I find it difficult to muster any enthusiasm for the spectacle unfolding before my eyes.Sophia's insistence on attending the exclusive fashion show, citing the difficulty in securing tickets from Stella Newton, left me feeling somewhat obligated to join. She painted it as the premier event in town, and with such high praise, I reluctantly agreed to accompany her and Eva.Although I could not share her excitement, I understood the rarity of the opportunity and decided to go along, despite my reservations about fashion shows in general.“Ooh, this event is lit!”Eva’s excitement is getting on my nerves and all I want is to leave the place.“Stella doesn’t hand over tickets like this to anyone, you know?”I was really exhausted of hearing th
ARIA’S POVBut it’s only for a moment, and he’s gone. I must have mistaken him for someone else.As the fashion show comes to a close, I am surrounded by a flurry of excitement and congratulatory cheers from my colleagues and peers. They rush to me, clapping and showering me with compliments on the impression I made on the runway.Their genuine enthusiasm and support fill me with a sense of warmth and validation, washing away any lingering doubts or insecurities. It is a surreal moment, basking in the glow of their admiration and knowing that my hard work and dedication have paid off.I smile gratefully, accepting their praise with humility and gratitude. Their words of encouragement are like a balm to my soul, affirming that I am capable of achieving greatness and deserving of recognition.In that moment, surrounded by the smiling faces of my colleagues, I feel a sense of pride swell within me. This is more than just a fashion show—it is a celebration of camaraderie and collaboration
ARIA’S POVOh, did I even think that she would leave me in peace and get the heck out of there? No! Eva does just the contrary.I am taken aback by Eva's sudden outburst, her screams piercing the air like a child denied their favorite toy. It is bewildering; her regression into such childish behavior. My mind races to comprehend her actions, but I am left struggling with a mix of confusion and frustration.It is as if rationality has been abandoned, replaced by this chaotic display of emotion. I feel a sense of incredulity wash over me, wondering how to navigate this unexpected storm of behavior.“Fraud!”Eva's accusation echoes through the room, startling everyone into attention. Heads turn, eyebrows raise, and murmurs of confusion ripple through the crowd. The sudden shift in atmosphere leaves me feeling exposed, as if a spotlight has been thrust upon me.I struggle to comprehend Eva's words, my mind racing to grasp the gravity of the situation. There is a knot of unease in my stoma
ARIA’S POVAs Stella points out the discrepancy in the ticket logo, a ripple of realization spreads across the faces of Eva, Adam, and Sophia. Their expressions contort with a mixture of disbelief and dawning comprehension, as if a veil has been lifted to reveal the truth.It is a moment of revelation, as the implications of Stella's observation sink in. I can almost feel the tension crackling in the air, as the significance of this revelation hangs heavy between them, casting a shadow over their previously confident façades.Stella's swift action to summon the security guard catches my attention, but my astonishment grows as I spot Adam's friend, George, stepping in as if he owns the place. His unexpected intervention adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama, leaving me wondering about the extent of his involvement in the situation.There is a sense of bewilderment as I watch him assert himself, his actions injecting a new element of uncertainty into an already volatile
ARIA’S POVLydia’s tears dry up as she slowly turns away, ready to leave the hospital room. Her steps are hesitant, burdened by the weight of everything she’s confessed, and by the knowledge that she might be walking out of Ethan’s life forever. There’s a palpable sense of finality in the way she carries herself, like someone resigned to their fate.But just as her hand reaches the door, Ethan calls out her name.“Lydia.”Everyone freezes for a moment. Lydia stops in her tracks, her back still turned, and I can see the subtle rise and fall of her shoulders as she takes in what just happened. The room is tense, filled with emotions that swirl and collide like waves in a storm, but the sound of Ethan’s voice cuts through it all.“Who told you to leave?”He tells Lydia that he wants to give their relationship another chance.The words hang in the air, a shockwave that ripples through the room. I glance at Ethan’s parents, who stiffen at the unexpected declaration, but they remain silent,
ARIA’S POVAs soon as Ethan gazes at Lydia, her face crumples, tears welling up in her eyes, most likely because she knows she is about to lose him. The weight of everything she has done, both in the past and more recently, seems to crash down on her. Her vulnerability is unmistakable, and it’s clear that she fears this might be the end of whatever she and Ethan had built together in this strange in-between space where his memory had been absent.Ethan’s expression hardens as he processes the reality of the situation. He’s upset, and it's easy to see why. For weeks, months even, his parents had believed him to be lost, possibly dead, while Lydia kept him hidden from the people who loved him most. His emotions are a swirl of confusion, betrayal, and anger as he turns to Lydia, waiting for an explanation. The air between them grows thick with unspoken accusations, the kind that don’t need words to make their impact.Lydia’s sobs grow more frantic as she tries to defend herself, her voic
ARIA’S POV“I’m not here to take Ethan from you… We’re just best friends. Nothing more.”“What?”“It was just a charade at your engagement.”All of a sudden, the nurse informs us that Ethan has woken up. My heart races as I see the reaction from everyone around me. Without wasting a second, we all rush into his room. Ethan’s eyes are open, and the first thing he does is call out to his parents.There’s a moment of palpable relief as his mother and father rush to his side, elation lighting up their faces. They hold him close, their hands trembling with emotion, and for the first time in a long while, they seem to have a piece of peace back in their lives.But what stands out most is that Ethan doesn’t even look at Lydia. Not once. Her presence, once central to his confusion, seems to fade into the background. She stands near the door, frozen, her eyes glassy with unshed tears as she watches the reunion. I don’t know whether it’s fear, regret, or sadness that’s written on her face, but
ARIA’S POV“I’m not letting you take Ethan from me.”Lydia sits next to me, vulnerable in a way I’ve never seen before. She begins speaking softly, revealing her regrets and the reasons behind her actions. She admits that her past choices were driven by greed and a hunger for wealth, and that those choices led her to hurt Ethan and her ex-fiancé. She speaks of how, after fleeing to Arizona to escape the wreckage of her old life, she found Ethan on the shore, lost and helpless. In that moment, she says, she saw not the man she had wronged but someone she could help. Someone who needed her.It’s difficult to fully believe her, but something about her story rings true. The way she talks about Ethan and her past mistakes feels raw and genuine, not the calculated coldness I once associated with her. She explains that when Ethan didn’t remember anything—not his name, not his family, not even his old life—he still remembered her.“We’re meant to be together. Else, he wouldn’t have landed her
ARIA’S POVWe’re all seated in the waiting area of the hospital, the sterile smell and bright lights only adding to the tension. Ethan’s parents, sitting across from me, glance in my direction every so often, their frowns deepening as if my mere presence is an offense.It’s not the first time I’ve seen that look on their faces, and it probably won’t be the last. But what baffles me is how they’ve chosen to forget about Lydia entirely. She’s sitting in the corner of the room, arms folded, her face pale and tight with worry. I can’t tell if she’s genuinely concerned for Ethan or if this is all just another one of her well-rehearsed acts.I lean back in my chair, trying to process it all. At least the Mitchells had realized that their son had lost his memory before I even had the chance to explain. It was painfully obvious—his reaction when he saw them, the way his body gave out from the shock.He fainted because it was too much for him. Yet, here they are, acting like I’m the villain in
ARIA’S POVLydia seems to sense that she’s outnumbered. She glares at us for a moment, then steps aside, opening the door fully. We enter the house, the air thick with tension. I glance around, spotting the packed boxes in the corner. They were planning to leave, just as I suspected.I spot Ethan standing in the living room. He’s casually scrolling through his phone, but the second he looks up and sees me, there’s a flicker of recognition in his eyes. I hold my breath, waiting for some kind of reaction. But then, his parents step in behind me, and that’s when everything changes.Ethan freezes. His phone slips out of his hand and clatters onto the floor, but his gaze is locked on his parents. I can practically see the gears turning in his mind, as if something deep inside him is suddenly being unlocked. His face goes pale, and his eyes widen in shock.And then, just as quickly as it all hits him, Ethan stumbles back, clutching his head. He takes a few shaky steps before collapsing to t
ARIA’S POVI sit in my car, my eyes on the house as the night falls deeper. All the windows are dark, the curtains drawn, and not a single sign of movement inside. It’s almost midnight, and it doesn’t look like Lydia and Ethan are going anywhere tonight.Still, I can’t afford to take any risks. If I leave or let my guard down for even a second, who knows what they might do. Maybe they’ll sneak out in the early hours, slip away when no one is watching.But exhaustion is catching up to me. The rented car is spacious enough, well-equipped for a long night of waiting. I’ve pinned my location for the people I’ve summoned here—they’ll call when they’re close. I settle into the seat, finally allowing myself a moment to rest. There’s no harm in taking a quick nap while I wait.I drift off, my mind a swirl of thoughts and plans. Every scenario plays out in my head; confronting Lydia, pulling Ethan out of there, making sure he’s safe. It’s not peaceful sleep by any means, but it’s something.Ho
ARIA’S POVMy stomach churns with hunger, but the idea of stepping away from my spot, even for a moment, feels out of the question. I’ve been sitting here, fixated on the house, watching every movement behind those walls. It’s like Lydia and Ethan are carrying on with their perfect little life, while I’m stuck out here, trying to figure out what to do next.I have moved too far now to catch their conversation clearly, and their voices aren’t as loud as they were before. On top of that, before they notice me, I have to make sure I keep my distance.The sight of them earlier, packing boxes, moving around like they’re planning to skip town, is enough to make my blood boil. I can’t let that happen.I need to eat, I need to think, but there’s no way I can leave the area, not even for a second. They could take off, and I’d have no idea where they would go. If I lose track of them, it could be the last time I ever see Ethan. The thought alone makes my heart race.Then, I spot a kid in the di
ARIA’S POVI got the address and I head directly to the place to spy on Ethan and Lydia. My first step is to observe the surrounding and checking on their movements.“Aiden, love. Shall I keep this in the bag?”“Yes, baby.”She is addressing him as Aiden, and I roll my eyes in exasperation.As I watch from my hidden spot, I can barely contain the rage boiling inside me. Ethan, living a normal life with that deceitful witch, Lydia, like they’re some kind of perfect couple. How can he not see through her lies?My heart races, each second feeling like an eternity. She’s manipulating him, keeping him trapped in this farce, and it’s beyond infuriating. Ethan’s family has no idea he’s even alive, and meanwhile, he’s here, with her, under this disgusting illusion of love.But then something changes. I notice a flurry of activity at their house. Boxes. Bags. They’re packing up. My eyes narrow, and I feel a sudden rush of panic. This isn’t just spring cleaning or a casual weekend trip—they’re